burnham



G. A. BURNHAM.

FUSE FOR ELECTRIC SWITCHES.

APPLICATION men jun l. 19:5.

1,312,792. Patented Aug. 12,1919.

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Jfzverz Zazfx G. n. BURNHAM.

FUSE FOR ELECTRIC SWITCHES.

APPLICATION mm mu 1. 1915.

Patented'Aug. "12, 1919.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE a. semi-Hm, or sauces, mssacimsn'r'rs, assmnon 120 scans B. conm'r,

. m, or ammonium, mssacnusnr'rs.

FUSE FOB ELECTRIC SWITCHES.

Tooll whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Guonon A. BURNHAM, a citizen of the United States, residin at San us, in the county of Essex and tats of Iassachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Fuses for Electric Switches, 'of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to electric-switches having fuses associated with them, adapted The demand calls for switches of differ:

ent voltage capacities, and it is practicable to make a. standard switch which is suitable for capacities varying from, say 250 to 600 volts, but the fuses which areassociated with the switches must be of capacities corresponding to the voltage ofthe circuit with which the switch is connected.

with fuses of different voltage capacities, the length of the fuse varies, while the diameter may remain constant, and with a fuse of say, siderably greater than with a fuse of a lower voltage capacity such, for instance, as 250 volts.

Switches are commonly constructed with members between which the fuse is to be connected which are spaced an unvariable distance apart, which distance cannot be conveniently changed after the switch has been constructed. Consequently the switch, although its stationary and movable switch nn-mhcrs and other com cnents are so constructed and arranged t at the switch may be safely operated on different circuits, the voltages of which may be considerably different,- is limited to the particular voltage determined by the initi spacing of the members between which the fuse is connoeted.

Consequently this invention has for an object the provision of means whereby fuses of diifering lengths may be electrically connected bet-ween terminals or connecting 600 volts the length is contance apart.

This object is attained inthe provision Specification of Letters Patent. Patcnted Aug. 12,1919.

Applicationflled July 1,1915. Serial Ho.87,806. f 2 i.

v i fli Fir vmembers spaced a fixed and unvari'able-dism Mimi of a plurality, or series, of different-Tusca holders, each'holder adapted to receiveand hold a fuse of a. certain voltage :09, 'acity and therefore of a certain fixed lengt and all of which have terminal extensions spaced the same distance apart for oonnec-.

tion with switch components'a'ndmith the electric circuit. To copditionthe switch for operation upon-circuits of differing voltfuse holder by a. different fuse holder hav ing fuse clips spaced :1 different distance apart and having fuses of the' necessary len h.

this invention.

igure 1, is a vertical section of a doublethrow motor starting -switch embodying Fig. 2, is a plan vview of the fuse-carrying plate arranged to receive and hold fuses of a certain length.

Fig. 3, is an end view of the fuse-carryingrplate. a

1g. 4 is a lan view of a fuse-carrying plate arrang to carry fuses of a length difierent from that for which the plate of Fig. 2 is adapted, but otherwise similar to that shown in Fig. 2.

The fuse holding structure embodyingmy invention is contained inthe inclosing casing of a switch of the type specified which comprises a compartment 12, a cover 13, a heavy bottom-plate 14 of insulating material, such as slate, secured to its vertical wall, and an oil-containing receptacle 10, preferably detachably connected to said compartment; It is obvious that 'thefuse at ages it is merely necessary to. replace one spaced apart a distance determined by tlie spacing of the stationary switch members.

25, which spacin cannot be conveniently varied. The self-contained fuse-carrying element will now be described.

An insulating plate 80 is arranged in the compartment and inclosed by its cover, which is secured to the upright side-wall of said compartment at the top, see'Fig. 2, and said plate is arranged to support the fuses 81 of a certain voltage capacity and length, it having fuse-holders 82, arranged upon it of any usual or suitable form for detachably holdin the fuses, there being one air of fuse-hol ers for each fuse, and t 'ree pairs being here shown. The fuse holders of any particular plate are secured thereon a fixed distance apart, but the distance between fuse holders, in any two plates, may vary. One of the fuse-holders of each pair is connected with the plate 80 by a bolt 83, having its head formed as a long pin 84, which extends vertically in a down ward direction, said pin being made long enough to engage one of the yielding sockets 7-5. The other fuse-holder of each pair is secured to the plate 80 by a bolt 85, and a conducting-strip 86, is arranged in or beneath the plate 80, one end of which is arranged on said bolt, and said strip extends in a direction toward the other fuseholder of the pair, and a long terminal pin 87 is connected to the other end of said plate, said pin extending vertically downward far enough to engage theother yielding socket 75, thus electrical connection is provided between a pair of fuse-holders and a pair of yielding sockets, which it will be understood, are electrically connected with a pair of stationary switch-members of a double-throw switch. The fuse-holders of each pair are widely spaced apart to re ceive fuses of large capacity, and the terminal connections for the switch-members are arranged near together relative to the spacing of the fuse holders but it is understood that while the distance between the terminal connections is fixed and is equal to the distance between the sockets yet the distance between the fuse clips or holders 82 may be varied in different fuse-holding plates to provide for the holding of different lengths of fuses. The plate has arranged on its upper side upright walls 89 and 90, of insulating material between the several fuses. It will be noted that the terminal-pins 84 d 87 slidably engage the yielding sockets, represented by the groups of spring-fingers 75, but while this structure is preferable it is not a necessity, but is employed articularly in this instance as it rovides or easily and cheaply electrical y connecting the fuse-holders, which are supported by the plate 80 with the switchmembers.

terminal Fig. 4 shows a fuse holder adapted to re ceive fuses of a length different from those adapted to be received by, but otherwise similar to, the fuse holder above described and adapted to replace said plate to condition the switch for operation upon a circuit of a different voltage, and the switch itself may be of a standard form and capacity. It ls understood with each fuse holder the terminal pins will all be spaced the same distance a art but that the fuse clips will be spaced different distances apart to receive fuses of different len fuse clips on any plate will fixed definite distance apart to receive fuses of a different length.

In the structure here shown, 25, 25, represent the stationary switch-members of a double-throw switch, 35 the movable switchmember, arranged in the oil rece tacle 10, 49 a link connecting said switc -member with an oscillatin crank-shaft 52, which is adapted for oscillation b any suitable means, and is arranged in t e compartment above the oil receptacl This switch is substantially the stricture shown in my application aforesaid, but is intended to typify any forrn of, double-throw switch with which the fuse-carrying attachment, here shown, me beassociated. It will be noted that the use-carrying late 80 is arranged in the compartment aiiove the operhs and the spaced a a-tingmeans, being thus supported to enclosely associated and arranged at one side .of the operating means, so as to make direct connections with the sockets 75, 75, which are in turn directly connected with the stationary switchmembers which are contained in the oil receptacle. Furthermore, it will be noted that the fuse-carrying plate is arran at the top of the compartment in whic the operating means is arranged, and above said means, so thatthe fuse which is en ported by it is readily accessible upon li mg the cover 13, of said compartment.

I claim 1. A series of fuse holders, allof the fuse holders of the series adapted to receive fuses of definite lengths and the length of the fuse adapted. to be received by any fuse holder differing from the lengths of the fuses adapted to be received by all other fuse holders of the series, each fuse holder Series spared a fixed distance apart. \\'lll('l\ lllHtitlNX' is dili'erent for all fuse holders. of the Series.

2. protective device comprising an inelosing easing. a cover therefor, an insulating plate arranged in said casing. and diaposed (:onsiderahly below the top thereof, two members carried by said plate, and a detachable fuse holder arranged within said casing eomprisin' an insulating base, f-use clips arranged hereon to receive a fuse, terminal pins connected with said fuse clips depending from said base and arranged for detachable connection with said members,

said fuse holder living supported in said easing above said insulating plate and immediately beneath said cover for aeeessto a fuse rarried thereby upon removal of said ('(H'eI'. said fuse holder detachahly engaging said members for removal from said easin".

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in, the

of two subscribing witnessesfi 2 neon;n'-:;- animal-r g W itnessesi a V BQH. Ania-mg,

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